God, the media and the microchip top the charts

GOD, the media and the computer are the rising stars in the postgraduate market, new figures show.

The number of postgraduate qualifications available has grown over the past five years by 65 per cent in theology and religious studies, 200 per cent in media and communications studies and 80 per cent in computer sciences and information technology.

Meanwhile the number of once-fashionable European language awards has increased only 15 to 25 per cent.

The figures, compiled by Hobsons Publishing from data produced for The Directory of Graduate Studies, show the number of postgraduate qualifications overall has grown from 12,700 in 1992/93 to 20,300 in 1997/98.

Other big growth areas include MBA programmes, which have more than doubled from 101 to 228; business, administration and management, up from 561 to 1,048; environmental studies, showing an increase from 200 to 423; and social sciences, with a rise from 295 to 564. Women's studies has also grown in popularity, but from a low base of 31 up to 91, still a relatively low number of qualifications.